U.S. patent number 6,945,992 [Application Number 10/421,054] was granted by the patent office on 2005-09-20 for single-piece crown stent.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Medtronic Vascular, Inc.. Invention is credited to Harry B. Goodson, IV, Trevor Greenan.
United States Patent |
6,945,992 |
Goodson, IV , et
al. |
September 20, 2005 |
Single-piece crown stent
Abstract
A stent for a stent-graft includes: a first ring; a second ring;
and spring elements coupling the first ring to the second ring,
wherein the first ring, the second ring and the spring elements are
integral. During maneuvering of the stent-graft through the
tortuous human anatomy, the first ring is bent or flexed relative
to the second ring. However, the spring elements are distorted to
accommodate this bending. Further, since the stent is integral, a
graft material only has to be sewn to the second ring minimizing
the delivery profile of the stent-graft.
Inventors: |
Goodson, IV; Harry B. (Fremont,
CA), Greenan; Trevor (Miami, FL) |
Assignee: |
Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Santa
Rosa, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
32962422 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/421,054 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
623/1.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
2/91 (20130101); A61F 2/915 (20130101); A61F
2/07 (20130101); A61F 2/848 (20130101); A61F
2002/075 (20130101); A61F 2002/91525 (20130101); A61F
2002/91541 (20130101); A61F 2002/91558 (20130101); A61F
2220/0075 (20130101); A61F 2230/0054 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
2/06 (20060101); A61F 002/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;623/1.11-1.22 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gherbi; Suzette J-J
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A stent-graft comprising: a first sinusoidal ring comprising a
series of peaks and valleys; a second diamond ring comprising a
series of connected diamond shaped structures, a number of said
connected diamond shaped structures of said second diamond ring
being greater than a number of said valleys, a height of said first
sinusoidal ring being greater than a height of said second diamond
ring; spring elements coupling said first sinusoidal ring to said
second diamond ring, said spring elements being coupled to all of
said valleys, wherein said first sinusoidal ring, said second
diamond ring and said spring elements are integral; and a graft
material coupled to said second diamond ring only.
2. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said stent comprises a memory
metal.
3. The stent-graft of claim 2 wherein said memory metal comprises
nickel titanium alloy.
4. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said spring elements allow
said first sinusoidal ring to be bent relative to said second
diamond ring.
5. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said spring elements are in a
straight line pattern.
6. The stent-graft of claim 5 wherein said spring elements comprise
straight connectors extending between said first sinusoidal ring
and said second diamond ring.
7. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said spring elements are in
an S-pattern.
8. The stent-graft of claim 7 wherein said spring elements comprise
two opposing bends extending between said first sinusoidal ring and
said second diamond ring.
9. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said spring elements are in a
pattern of two S-patterns connected by a strut.
10. The stent-graft of claim 9 wherein said spring elements
comprise: first S-shaped connectors; second S-shaped connectors;
and struts extending between said first S-shaped connectors and
said second S-shaped connectors.
11. The stent-graft of claim 10 wherein said struts are straight
struts.
12. The stent-graft of claim 10 wherein said struts are wave
struts.
13. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said spring elements are in
a sinusoidal pattern.
14. The stent-graft of claim 13 wherein said spring elements
comprise a series of opposing bends.
15. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said spring elements are in
an offset S-pattern.
16. The stent-graft of claim 15 wherein said spring elements
comprise: S-shaped structures; and bent struts coupled to said
S-shaped structures.
17. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said spring elements are in
a series S-pattern.
18. The stent-graft of claim 17 wherein said spring elements
comprise a series of S-shaped structures.
19. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein there are three of said
connected diamond shaped structures for every one of said
valleys.
20. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein a ratio of said height of
said first sinusoidal ring to said height of said second diamond
ring is about 4:3.
21. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein a ratio of said height of
said first sinusoidal ring to said height of said second diamond
ring is about 25:18.
22. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein a ratio of said height of
said first sinusoidal ring to said height of said second diamond
ring is about 15:11.
23. The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein a ratio of said height of
said first sinusoidal ring to said height of said second diamond
ring is about 28:21.
24. A stent-graft comprising: a first sinusoidal ring comprising a
series of peaks and valleys; a second diamond ring comprising a
series of connected diamond shaped structures, a number of said
connected diamond shaped structures of said second diamond ring
being greater than a number of said valleys, a height of said first
sinusoidal ring being greater than a height of said second diamond
ring; means for bending said first sinusoidal ring relative to said
second diamond ring, said means for bending being coupled to all of
said valleys, wherein said first sinusoidal ring, said second
diamond ring and said means for bending are integral; and a graft
material coupled to said second diamond ring only.
25. A stent-graft comprising: a first ring comprising a series of
peaks and valleys; a second ring comprising a series of connected
diamond shaped structures, a number of said connected diamond
shaped structures of said second ring being greater than a number
of said valleys, a height of said first ring being greater than a
height of said second ring; spring elements coupling said first
ring to said second ring, wherein said first ring, said second ring
and said spring elements are integral; and a graft material coupled
to said second ring only.
26. The stent-graft of claim 25 wherein said first ring is a first
sinusoidal ring.
27. The stent-graft of claim 26 wherein said second ring is a
second diamond ring.
28. The stent-graft of claim 25 further comprising sutures coupling
said graft material to said second ring.
29. A method comprising: applying bending force to a stent-graft to
bend a first ring of a stent of said stent-graft relative to a
second ring of said stent, said applying causing spring elements
between said first ring and said second ring to become distorted,
wherein most of said bending occurs in said spring elements without
collapse of said first ring and said second ring, wherein said
first ring comprising a series of peaks and valleys and said second
ring comprising a series of connected diamond shaved structures, a
number of said connected diamond shaped structures of said second
ring being greater than a number of said valleys, a height of said
first ring being greater than a height of said second ring;
providing fixation above the renal arteries with said first ring;
and providing sealing at a proximal end of a graft material of said
stent-graft with said second ring, said graft material coupled to
said second ring only.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein said distorting comprises
stretching a first spring element of said spring elements.
31. The method of claim 29 wherein said distorting comprises
compressing a first spring element of said spring elements.
32. The method of claim 29 further comprising removing said bending
force, said spring elements causing said stent-graft to return to a
relaxed state of said stent-graft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to intra-vascular devices. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a stent for
treatment of intra-vascular aneurysms.
2. Description of the Related Art
A self-expanding stent-graft typically includes a self-expanding
stent and a graft material sewn to the stent. In stent-graft
deployment systems, the self-expanding stent-graft is restrained
within a sheath. After placement of the stent-graft at the desired
location via fluoroscopic guidance, the physician retracts the
sheath to deploy the stent-graft, i.e., to expose the stent-graft
and allow it to self-expand.
However, the human anatomy is tortuous by nature. Thus, during
guidance of the stent-graft to the desired location, the
stent-graft is subjected to significant bending and flexing. A
conventional stent-graft has practical limits to the allowed amount
of bending to avoid damage or destruction to the stent-graft.
Avoiding extreme bending or destruction of the stent-graft limits
the range of anatomical variation in which the stent-graft can be
used.
Further, to guide the stent-graft to the desired location, the
stent-graft is compressed within the sheath to have the smallest
possible cross-section, i.e., to have the smallest possible
stent-graft delivery profile. However, conventional stent-graft
designs imposed practical limits on the possible reduction of the
stent-graft delivery profile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment according to the present invention, a stent for a
stent-graft includes: a first ring; a second ring; and spring
elements coupling the first ring to the second ring, wherein the
first ring, the second ring and the spring elements are
integral.
During maneuvering of the stent-graft through the tortuous human
anatomy, the first ring is bent or flexed relative to the second
ring. However, the spring elements are distorted to accommodate
this bending.
Further, since the first ring, the second ring and the spring
elements of the stent are integral, a graft material only has to be
sewn to the second ring. By sewing the graft material only to the
second ring, there is less overlap of the graft material and the
stent compared to having to sew the graft material to both the
first ring and the second ring. Accordingly, use of a stent
according to the present invention minimizes the delivery profile
of the stent-graft.
Embodiments according to the present invention are best understood
by reference to the following detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are side views of various embodiments of a
single-piece stent in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a stent-graft formed with the stent of
FIG. 1A;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the stent-graft of FIG. 2 with spring
elements being bent and distorted; and
FIGS. 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are flat layout plan views of
various embodiments of laid flat tube patterns for a single-piece
stent in accordance with the present invention.
Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and
detailed description to indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a stent
100 (FIGS. 2 and 3) for a stent-graft 200 includes: an upper
sinusoidal ring 102; a lower diamond ring 104; and spring elements
106 coupling upper sinusoidal ring 102 to lower diamond ring 104,
wherein upper sinusoidal ring 102, lower diamond ring 104, and
spring elements 106 are integral.
In one embodiment, during maneuvering stent-graft 200 through the
tortuous human anatomy, e.g., from the femoral artery to the
abdominal aorta, upper sinusoidal ring 102 is bent or flexed
relative to lower diamond ring 104. However, spring elements 106
are distorted to accommodate this bending.
Further, since stent 100 is integral, graft material 202 only has
to be sewn to lower diamond ring 104. By sewing graft material 202
only to lower diamond ring 104, there is less overlap of graft
material 202 and stent 100 and therefore less thickness of material
to be compressed into the sheath compared to having to sew graft
material 202 to both upper sinusoidal ring 102 and lower diamond
ring 104. Accordingly, use of stent 100 minimizes the delivery
profile of stent-graft 200.
More particularly, FIG. 1A is a side view of a single-piece stent
100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Stent 100 includes an upper sinusoidal ring 102, a lower diamond
ring 104, and spring elements 106. Upper sinusoidal ring 102 is
sometimes called a first ring or a crown ring due to the shape of
upper sinusoidal ring 102. Lower diamond ring 104 is sometimes
called a second ring. Spring elements 106 are sometimes called
means for bending.
Upper sinusoidal ring 102 has a sinusoidal shape, i.e., is a series
of peaks 110 and valleys 120. Lower diamond ring 104 is a series of
connected diamond shaped structures 130.
Spring elements 106 couple upper sinusoidal ring 102 to lower
diamond ring 104. As shown in FIG. 1A, each valley 120 is coupled
to an upper, e.g., first, end 140 of a corresponding spring element
106. However, in an alternative embodiment, spring elements 106 are
not coupled to every valley 120, e.g., are coupled only to every
other valley 120 or at least to one valley 120.
Further, lower, e.g., second, ends 142 of spring elements 106 are
directly coupled to every third diamond shaped structure 130, i.e.,
two diamond shaped structures 130 not directly coupled to spring
elements 106 are between diamond shaped structures 130 which are
directly coupled to spring elements 106. More particularly, the
number of diamond shaped structures 130 of lower diamond ring 104
is greater than the number of valleys 120 of upper sinusoidal ring
102, e.g., there are three diamond shaved structures 130 for every
valley 120 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. However, in other
embodiments, more or less of diamond shaped structures 130 are
directly coupled to spring elements 106.
Further, spring elements 106 are flexible and resilient allowing
upper sinusoidal ring 102 to be bent or flexed relative to lower
diamond ring 104 yet cause upper sinusoidal ring 102 to be returned
to its original position as discussed in greater detail below with
reference to FIG. 3.
In accordance with this embodiment, stent 100 is integral,
sometimes called a single-piece, i.e., upper sinusoidal ring 102,
lower diamond ring 104, and spring elements 106 are a single piece
(cut from a single tube) and not a plurality of separate pieces
connected together.
For example, a single tubular piece of memory metal is cut with a
laser in an inert atmosphere, e.g., an argon cut, to form stent
100. However, stent 100 is formed using other techniques such as
machining in another embodiment.
In one embodiment, a 0.125 or 0.187 inch outside diameter tube of
nickel titanium alloy, e.g., nitinol, is argon cut and expanded,
e.g., to have an outer diameter of 28 mm, 30 mm, 32 mm or 40 mm, to
form stent 100. Further, in one embodiment, after cutting, the tube
of nickel titanium alloy is expanded using a series of expansion
steps where the tube of nickel titanium alloy is sequentially
expanded and heated, e.g., three or four times, to expand the tube
of nickel titanium alloy to the desired outer diameter.
In one embodiment, the tube is: 1) expanded and held at 470.degree.
C. for 2 minutes; 2) further expanded and held at 470.degree. C.
for 2 minutes; and 3) further expanded to have the desired outer
diameter and held at 525.degree. C. for 2 minutes. In another
embodiment, the tube is: 1) expanded and held at 505.degree. C. for
2 minutes; 2) further expanded and held at 505.degree. C. for 2
minutes; and 3) further expanded to have the desired outer diameter
and held at 505.degree. C. for 2 minutes.
FIG. 1B is a side view of a single-piece stent 100A in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. Stent 100A includes
an upper sinusoidal ring 102-U, a lower sinusoidal ring 102-L, and
spring elements 106. Upper sinusoidal ring 102-U and lower
sinusoidal ring 102-L are similar to one another and are sometimes
called a first ring and a second ring, respectively, or crown rings
due to their shape.
Upper sinusoidal ring 102-U and lower sinusoidal ring 102-L have a
sinusoidal shape, i.e., are a series of peaks and valleys. Spring
elements 106 couple upper sinusoidal ring 102-U to lower sinusoidal
ring 102-L.
FIG. 1C is a side view of a single-piece stent 100B in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. Stent 100B includes
an upper diamond ring 104-U, a lower diamond ring 104-L, and spring
elements 106. Upper diamond ring 104-U and lower diamond ring 104-L
are similar to one another and are sometimes called a first ring
and a second ring, respectively.
Upper diamond ring 104-U and lower diamond ring 104-L are a series
of connected diamond shaped structures. Spring elements 106 couple
upper diamond ring 104-U to lower diamond ring 104-L.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a stent-graft 200 in its relaxed state
formed with stent 100 of FIG. 1A in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a graft material 202
is sewn by sutures 204 to lower diamond ring 104 of stent 100.
Since stent 100 is integral, graft material 202 only has to be sewn
to lower diamond ring 104.
In contrast, the graft material of a conventional stent-graft
formed with individual stent elements had to be sewn to each of the
individual stent elements. Since graft material 202 is only sewn to
lower diamond ring 104, production sewing time is saved.
Further, by sewing graft material 202 only to lower diamond ring
104, less sutures 204 are used as compared to a conventional
stent-graft in which the graft material had to be sewn to each of
the individual stent elements again saving production sewing
time.
Still further, by sewing graft material 202 only to lower diamond
ring 104, there is less overlap of graft material 202 and stent 100
compared to having to sew the graft material to each individual
stent element as in a convention stent-graft. By minimizing overlap
of stent 100 and graft material 202, there is less thickness of
material to be compressed into the sheath. Accordingly, use of
stent 100 minimizes the delivery profile of stent-graft 200.
However, in another embodiment, graft material 202 is sewn to both
lower diamond ring 104 and upper sinusoidal ring 102. In yet
another embodiment, stent 100 is inverted such that sinusoidal ring
102 is below diamond ring 104 in the view of FIG. 2 and graft
material 202 is sewn to sinusoidal ring 102.
Referring still to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a proximal
end 206, sometimes called first end, of graft material 202 is sewn
to lower diamond ring 104. Graft material 202 extends downwards,
e.g., in a first direction, from lower diamond ring 104 and more
generally from stent 100 to a distal end 208, sometimes called a
second end of graft material 202.
In one embodiment, upper sinusoidal ring 102 provides fixation
above the renal arteries. Further, lower diamond ring 104 provides
sealing at proximal end 206 of graft material 202 by pressing
proximal end 206 into contact with the body lumen in which
stent-graft 200 is deployed. Still further, during positioning of
stent-graft 200 within the human body, spring elements 106 are bent
and distorted as discussed below with reference to FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 is a side view of stent-graft 200 of FIG. 2 with spring
elements 106 being bent and distorted. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and
3 together, initially an upper longitudinal axis L1 of upper
sinusoidal ring 102 is parallel to and aligned with a lower
longitudinal axis L2 of lower diamond ring 104 as shown in FIG. 2.
Stated another way, stent-graft 200 is in its relaxed state in FIG.
2, i.e., no bending force is being applied to stent-graft 200.
Although the term relaxed state is used herein, it is to be
understood that stent-graft 200 may be radially compressed, e.g.,
radially constrained within a sheath, while being in its relaxed
state.
Although the terms parallel, aligned, and similar terms are used
herein with reference to certain elements, it is understood that
the elements may not be exactly parallel or aligned, but only
substantially parallel or aligned to accepted manufacturing
tolerances.
However, during maneuvering through the tortuous human anatomy,
bending force applied to stent-graft 200 causes (and allows) upper
sinusoidal ring 102 to be bent or flexed relative to lower diamond
ring 104. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, upper longitudinal axis
L1 of upper sinusoidal ring 102 becomes unaligned and unparallel
with lower longitudinal axis L2 of lower diamond ring 104. However,
spring elements 106 are distorted to accommodate this bending.
More particularly, spring elements 106 are readily stretched
between upper sinusoidal ring 102 and lower diamond ring 104. To
illustrate, a first spring element 106-1 of the plurality of spring
elements 106 is stretched as the spacing between the respective
connected portions of upper sinusoidal ring 102 and lower diamond
ring 104 increases due to the flexing or bending of upper
sinusoidal ring 102 relative to lower diamond ring 104.
Further, spring elements 106 are readily compressed between upper
sinusoidal ring 102 and lower diamond ring 104. To illustrate, a
second spring element 106-2 of the plurality of spring elements 106
is compressed as the spacing between the respective connected
portions of upper sinusoidal ring 102 and lower diamond ring 104
decreases due to the flexing or bending of upper sinusoidal ring
102 relative to lower diamond ring 104.
In one embodiment, upper sinusoidal ring 102 is bent back and forth
up to 180.degree. relative to lower diamond ring 104 such that
upper longitudinal axis L1 of upper sinusoidal ring 102 moves up to
.+-.90.degree. from lower longitudinal axis L2 of lower diamond
ring 104. In accordance with this embodiment, all or most of the
bending occurs in spring elements 106 without collapse of either
upper sinusoidal ring 102, lower diamond ring 104 or damage to
stent-graft 200.
Accordingly, stent-graft 200 is readily maneuvered through the
tortuous human anatomy. Further, when the bending force is no
longer applied to or removed from stent-graft 200, e.g.,
stent-graft 200 has reached its desired location, spring elements
106 return stent-graft 200 back to its relaxed state as shown in
FIG. 2 due to the resiliency of spring elements 106.
FIG. 4 is a flat layout plan view of a laid flat tube pattern 400
for a single-piece stent. Referring now to FIG. 4, spring elements
106A consist of straight connectors extending between upper
sinusoidal ring 102A and lower diamond ring 104A. Accordingly,
spring elements 106A are sometimes said to be in a straight line
pattern.
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 4 are set forth below in Table 1.
TABLE 1 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A4 0.750 Inch B4 0.019 Inch C4
0.030 Inch D4 0.393 Inch E4 0.026 Inch F4 0.559 Inch G4 1.328 Inch
H4 0.018 Inch I4 0.070 Inch
The ratio of height A4 of upper sinusoidal ring 102A and height B4
of spring elements 106A is about 40:1, i.e., height A4 (0.750) of
upper sinusoidal ring 102A is about 40 times as great as height B4
(0.019). The ratio of height B4 of spring elements 106A and height
F4 of lower diamond ring 104A is about 1:30. The ratio of height A4
of upper sinusoidal ring 102A and height F4 of lower diamond ring
104A is about 4:3. The ratio of height A4 of upper sinusoidal ring
102A and height B4 of spring elements 106A and height F4 of lower
diamond ring 104A is about 40:1:30.
FIG. 5 is a flat layout plan view of a laid flat tube pattern 500
for a single-piece stent showing another embodiment according to
the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 5, spring elements
106B consist of S-shaped connectors extending between upper
sinusoidal ring 102B and lower diamond ring 104B. More
particularly, each spring element 106B consists of two opposing 180
degree bends 502, 504. Accordingly, spring elements 106B are
sometimes said to be in an S-pattern. As used herein, an S-pattern
includes two opposing bends. Thus, an S-pattern or S-shaped
structure is similar in shape to the letter "S" or the mirror image
of the letter "S".
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 5 are set forth below in Table 2.
TABLE 2 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A5 0.754 Inch B5 0.309 Inch C5
R0.005 Inch D5 R0.015 Inch E5 0.030 Inch F5 0.393 Inch G5 0.026
Inch H5 0.559 Inch I5 0.270 Inch J5 0.247 Inch K5 0.010 Inch L5
0.022 Inch M5 0.074 Inch
The ratio of height A5 of upper sinusoidal ring 102B and height B5
of spring elements 106B is about 5:2. The ratio of height B5 of
spring elements 106B and height H5 of lower diamond ring 104B is
about 5:9. The ratio of height A5 of upper sinusoidal ring 102B and
height H5 of lower diamond ring 104B is about 25:18. The ratio of
height A5 of upper sinusoidal ring 102B and height B5 of spring
elements 106B and height H5 of lower diamond ring 104B is about
25:10:18.
FIG. 6A is a flat layout plan view of a laid flat tube pattern 600A
for a single-piece stent showing another embodiment according to
the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 6A, spring elements
106C extend between upper sinusoidal ring 102C and lower diamond
ring 104C. Spring elements 106C consist of: first S-shaped
connectors 602; second S-shaped connectors 604; and straight struts
606 extending between connectors 602, 604. Accordingly, each spring
element 106C is sometimes said to be in a pattern of two S-patterns
connected by a straight strut.
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 6A in accordance with one embodiment are set forth below in
Table 3.
TABLE 3 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A6A 0.754 Inch B6A 0.247 Inch
C6A R0.020 Inch D6A R0.010 Inch E6A 0.030 Inch F6A 0.393 Inch G6A
0.026 Inch H6A 0.559 Inch I6A 1.560 Inch J6A 0.184 Inch K6A 0.022
Inch L6A 0.074 Inch
The ratio of height A6A of upper sinusoidal ring 102C and height
B6A of spring elements 106C is about 3:1. The ratio of height B6A
of spring elements 106C and height H6A of lower diamond ring 104C
is about 4:9. The ratio of height A6A of upper sinusoidal ring 102C
and height H6A of lower diamond ring 104C is about 4:3. The ratio
of height A6A of upper sinusoidal ring 102C and height B6A of
spring elements 106C and height H6A of lower diamond ring 104C is
about 12:4:9.
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 6A in accordance with other embodiments are set forth below in
Table 4.
TABLE 4 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A6A 0.754 Inch B6A 0.247 Inch
C6A R0.020 Inch D6A R0.010* Inch (R0.0075**) (R0.0125***) E6A 0.025
Inch F6A 0.393 Inch G6A 0.026 Inch H6A 0.539 Inch I6A 1.540 Inch
J6A 0.184 Inch K6A 0.022 Inch L6A 0.074 Inch *When strut 606 is
0.0100 inch thick. **When strut 606 is 0.0125 inch thick. ***When
strut 606 is 0.0075 inch thick.
With respect to Table 4, the ratio of height A6A of upper
sinusoidal ring 102C and height B6A of spring elements 106C is
about 3:1. The ratio of height B6A of spring elements 106C and
height H6A of lower diamond ring 104C is about 5:11. The ratio of
height A6A of upper sinusoidal ring 102C and height H6A of lower
diamond ring 104C is about 15:11. The ratio of height A6A of upper
sinusoidal ring 102C and height B6A of spring elements 106C and
height H6A of lower diamond ring 104C is about 15:5:11.
FIG. 6B is a flat layout plan view of a laid flat tube pattern 600B
for a single-piece stent showing another embodiment according to
the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 6B, spring elements
106C-1 extend between upper sinusoidal ring 102C-1 and lower
diamond ring 104C-1. Spring elements 106C-1 consist of: first
S-shaped connectors 602A; second S-shaped connectors 604A; and
straight struts 606A extending between connectors 602A, 604A.
Accordingly, each spring element 106C-1 is sometimes said to be in
a pattern of two S-patterns connected by a straight strut.
In accordance with this embodiment, spring elements 106C-1 are
directly coupled to every fourth diamond shaped structure 130 of
lower diamond ring 104C-1, i.e., three diamond shaped structures
130 not directly coupled to spring elements 106C-1 are between
diamond shaped structures 130 which are directly coupled to spring
elements 106C-1.
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 6B are set forth below in Table 5.
TABLE 5 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A6B 0.835 Inch B6B 0.270 Inch
C6B R0.020 Inch D6B R0.010 Inch E6B 0.030 Inch F6B 0.578 Inch G6B
0.029 Inch H6B 0.458 Inch I6B 1.563 Inch J6B 0.184 Inch K6B 0.020
Inch L6B 0.100 Inch
The ratio of height A6B of upper sinusoidal ring 102C-1 and height
B6B of spring elements 106C-1 is about 3:1. The ratio of height B6B
of spring elements 106C-1 and height H6B of lower diamond ring
104C-1 is about 4:9. The ratio of height A6B of upper sinusoidal
ring 102C-1 and height H6B of lower diamond ring 104C-1 is about
4:3. The ratio of height A6B of upper sinusoidal ring 102C-1 and
height B6B of spring elements 106C-1 and height H6B of lower
diamond ring 104C-1 is about 12:4:9.
FIG. 7 is a flat layout plan view of a laid flat tube pattern 700
for a single-piece stent showing another embodiment according to
the present invention. Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 7 together,
spring elements 106D of FIG. 7 are similar to spring elements 106C
of FIG. 6A except spring elements 106D (FIG. 7) include wave struts
706 which are different than straight struts 606 (FIG. 6A)
Referring now to FIG. 7, spring elements 106D extend between upper
sinusoidal ring 102D and lower diamond ring 104D. Spring elements
106D consist of: first S-shaped connectors 602; second S-shaped
connectors 604; and wave struts 706 extending between connectors
602, 604. Wave struts 706 include angulations, i.e., are not
straight. Accordingly, each spring element 106D is sometimes said
to be in a pattern of two S-patterns connected by a wave strut.
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 7 are set forth below in Table 6.
TABLE 6 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A7 0.754 Inch B7 0.247 Inch C7
R0.020 Inch D7 R0.010 Inch E7 0.030 Inch F7 0.393 Inch G7 0.026
Inch H7 0.559 Inch I7 1.560 Inch J7 0.015 Inch K7 0.020 Inch L7
0.022 Inch M7 0.074 Inch
The ratio of height A7 of upper sinusoidal ring 102D and height B7
of spring elements 106D is about 3:1. The ratio of height B7 of
spring elements 106D and height H7 of lower diamond ring 104D is
about 4:9. The ratio of height A7 of upper sinusoidal ring 102D and
height H7 of lower diamond ring 104D is about 4:3. The ratio of
height A7 of upper sinusoidal ring 102D and height B7 of spring
elements 106D and height H7 of lower diamond ring 104D is about
12:4:9.
FIG. 8 is a flat layout plan view of a laid flat tube pattern 800
for a single-piece stent showing another embodiment according to
the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 8, spring elements
106E consist of sinusoidal shaped connectors extending between
upper sinusoidal ring 102E and lower diamond ring 104E. More
particularly, each spring element 106E consists of a series of
opposing bends. Accordingly, spring elements 106E are sometimes
said to be in a sinusoidal pattern.
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 8 are set forth below in Table 7.
TABLE 7 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A8 0.754 Inch B8 0.254 Inch C8
0.030 Inch D8 0.393 Inch E8 0.026 Inch F8 0.559 Inch G8 0.010 Inch
H8 R0.030 Inch I8 R0.020 Inch J8 0.022 Inch K8 0.074 Inch
The ratio of height A8 of upper sinusoidal ring 102E and height B8
of spring elements 106E is about 3:1. The ratio of height B8 of
spring elements 106E and height F8 of lower diamond ring 104E is
about 5:11. The ratio of height A8 of upper sinusoidal ring 102E
and height F8 of lower diamond ring 104E is about 15:11. The ratio
of height A8 of upper sinusoidal ring 102E and height B8 of spring
elements 106E and height F8 of lower diamond ring 104E is about
15:5:11.
FIG. 9 is a flat layout plan view of a laid flat tube pattern 900
for a single-piece stent showing another embodiment according to
the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 9, spring elements
106F consist of offset S-shaped connectors extending between upper
sinusoidal ring 102F and lower diamond ring 104F. More
particularly, each spring element 106F consists of an S-shaped
structure 902 coupled to upper sinusoidal ring 102F and a bent
strut 904 coupled to S-shaped structure 902 and lower diamond ring
104F. Accordingly, spring elements 106F are sometimes said to be in
an offset S-pattern.
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 9 are set forth below in Table 8.
TABLE 8 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A9 0.754 Inch B9 0.254 Inch C9
0.010 Inch D9 0.036 Inch E9 R0.020 Inch F9 0.022 Inch G9 R0.030
Inch H9 0.030 Inch I9 0.393 Inch J9 0.026 Inch K9 0.559 Inch L9
0.022 Inch M9 0.074 Inch
The ratio of height A9 of upper sinusoidal ring 102F and height B9
of spring elements 106F is about 7:1. The ratio of height B9 of
spring elements 106F and height K9 of lower diamond ring 104F is
about 5:11. The ratio of height A9 of upper sinusoidal ring 102F
and height K9 of lower diamond ring 104F is about 15:11. The ratio
of height A9 of upper sinusoidal ring 102F and height B9 of spring
elements 106F and height K9 of lower diamond ring 104F is about
15:5:11.
FIG. 10 is a flat layout plan view of a laid flat tube pattern 1000
for a single-piece stent showing another embodiment according to
the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 10, spring elements
106G consist of series S-shaped connectors 1002 extending between
upper sinusoidal ring 102G and lower diamond ring 104G. More
particularly, each spring element 106G consists of a series, e.g.,
three in the embodiment of FIG. 10, of S-shaped structures 1002.
Accordingly, spring elements 106F are sometimes said to be in a
series S-pattern.
Illustrative specifications for the various features illustrated in
FIG. 10 are set forth below in Table 9.
TABLE 9 FEATURE SPECIFICATION UNIT A10 0.754 Inch B10 0.266 Inch
C10 R0.020 Inch D10 R0.010 Inch E10 R0.015 Inch F10 0.030 Inch G10
0.393 Inch H10 0.026 Inch I10 0.559 Inch J10 1.579 Inch K10 0.036
Inch L10 0.010 Inch M10 0.022 Inch N10 0.074 Inch
The ratio of height A10 of upper sinusoidal ring 102G and height
B10 of spring elements 106G is about 14:5. The ratio of height B10
of spring elements 106G and height 10 of lower diamond ring 104G is
about 10:21. The ratio of height A10 of upper sinusoidal ring 102G
and height 110 of lower diamond ring 104G is about 28:21. The ratio
of height A10 of upper sinusoidal ring 102G and height B10 of
spring elements 106G and height 110 of lower diamond ring 104G is
about 21:10:21.
This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present
invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by
these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether
explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the
specification or not, such as variations in structure, dimension,
type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by
one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
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